(1) All disciplinary proceedings will be initiated by the student conduct officer or a designee. If that officer is the subject of a complaint initiated by the respondent, the president shall, upon request and when feasible, designate another person to fulfill any such disciplinary responsibilities relative to the complainant.

(2) The student conduct officer shall initiate disciplinary action by serving the respondent with written notice directing the respondent to attend a disciplinary meeting. The notice shall briefly describe the factual allegations, the provision(s) of the conduct code the respondent is charged with violating, the range of possible sanctions for the alleged violation(s), and specify the time and location of the meeting. At the meeting, the student conduct officer will present the allegations to the respondent and the respondent shall be afforded an opportunity to explain what took place. If the respondent fails to appear after proper notification, the student conduct officer may take disciplinary action based upon the available information.

(3) The student conduct officer, prior to initiating taking disciplinary action in a case involving allegations of sexual misconduct, will make a reasonable effort to contact the complainant to discuss the results of the investigation and possible disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions (if any) that may be imposed upon the respondent if the allegations of sexual misconduct are found to have merit.

(4) Within ten business days of the initial disciplinary meeting, and after considering the evidence in the case, including any facts or argument presented by the respondent, the student conduct officer shall serve the respondent with a written decision setting forth the specific student conduct code provisions alleged to have been violated, the action taken, and a notice of appeal rights (if any).

(5) The student conduct officer may take any of the following actions:

(a) Exonerate the respondent and terminate the proceeding;

(b) Dismiss the case after providing appropriate counseling and advice to the respondent. Such action is final and is not subject to review on appeal;

(c) Issue a verbal warning to the respondent directly. Such action is final and is not subject to review on appeal;

(d) Impose a disciplinary action(s), as described in WAC 132R-04-063. Such actions are subject to review on appeal as provided in this chapter. Any decision imposing a disciplinary action(s) must state the facts and conclusions supporting the student conduct officer's decision, the specific student conduct code provision(s) found to have been violated, the details of the discipline imposed, and a notice of any appeal rights with an explanation of the consequences of failing to file a timely appeal;

(e) Refer the matter directly to the student disciplinary committee for such action as the committee deems appropriate. Such referral shall be in writing, to the attention of the chair of the disciplinary committee, with a copy served on the respondent.

(6) In cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, the student conduct officer, on the same date that a disciplinary decision is served on the respondent, will serve a written notice informing the complainant whether the allegations of sexual misconduct were found to have merit and describing any disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions imposed upon the respondent for the complainant's protection, including disciplinary suspension or dismissal of the respondent. The notice will also inform the complainant of his or her appeal rights. If protective sanctions and/or conditions are imposed, the student conduct officer shall make a reasonable effort to contact the complainant to ensure prompt notice of the protective disciplinary sanctions and/or conditions.